10:00am Saturday 27th February 2010
Sir - While I would support the installation of a long-overdue barrier on the canal at Niffany Corner, Skipton, it will do nothing to address the primary cause of the two fatal accidents.
Both involved young drivers, one of whom had passed her test only two days earlier. Until driver education is re-thought and the Department of Transport accepts that driving is, quite literally, a life skill and is prepared to invest serious money in education, the toll of young and inexperienced drivers will continue.
The practical part of the driving test is virtually unchanged since 1935 and driving schools have to teach accordingly, ie a mechanical handling test around busy streets limited to 30mph and, increasingly, 20mph, with a short section on a dual carriageway.
The existence of the voluntary “pass plus” scheme clearly demonstrates the inadequacy of the system. We have spent billions in schools to equip young people with the skills to use computers, and rightly so, yet we have spectacularly failed to modernise driver education.
All secondary schools should have at least one driving simulator, so pupils can safely experience what happens if you drive too fast for the conditions, overload your car, drive on ice, in fog and all the other adverse conditions which are part of driving. It could and should also be used to demonstrate why, as a pedestrian, you should take care crossing the road.
It is indefensible, if not actually negligent, that our children are sent out into the world with so little formal training in road use. Failure to use a computer properly will not kill or injure anyone, failure to use the roads properly can and does.
Every year, £49 billion is now extracted in road transport taxes. It is essential that some of this cash is used to give real and effective training to young road users in order that the grossly disproportionate loss of young lives is halted.
RL Midgley, The Sidings, Thornton-in-Lonsdale
Sir - While a stronger barricade alongside the canal at Niffany Corner should prevent a car which has already left the road from continuing into the canal, the question is why a car should leave the road at this point.
Both the sadly fatal accidents under discussion have occurred to young drivers who may never have been exposed to the effects on behaviour and handling of a car with a soft rear tyre.
This gives rise to oversteer, in which the car develops a tendency to turn into an ever-tightening spiral instead of returning to straight ahead, as the driver would normally expect.
I remember the first time this happened to me. It occurred when I swerved to avoid a displaced paving stone in a recently-bought 1948 Hillman Minx Mark II, which still had a beam front axle.
It is quite frightening. For the rest of the time I had the car, I kept the front tyres at 20psi and the rears at 28 instead of the 24 and 24 instructed in the handbook. The problem never occurred again.
Perhaps if you publish this it will help to ensure young drivers are made aware of the danger of a soft rear tyre.
Gavin Martin, Church Croft, Gargrave
Sir - Like many others, we want improvements made to prevent any more tragedies at Niffany Corner.
But in your report on the feasibility study (Herald, February 11) it says: “New barriers will mean the loss of the towpath, which could lead to pedestrians walking in the road.”
Surely that can’t be acceptable. The canal towpath is well-used by walkers and cyclists. To expect these users to move out into the road at what are acknowledged as dangerous corners is just creating a new risk. I would have thought a design/engineering solution could be found that protects all users.
C & A Heald, Rockwood, Skipton
Sir - I am keen to avoid a repeat of the tragedies at Niffany Corner and have a suggestion for a simple measure that could be installed quickly and cheaply, while accountants discuss funding of barriers. Let’s put up an electronic warning sign which comes on when a vehicle approaches at more than, say, 25mph, using the same technology as the speed-limit sign at Coniston Cold. There is a similar warning of a bend on the A65 north of Kirkby Lonsdale. The sign could be coupled with reflective chevrons like those at the corner of the A65, near the Feizor turn.
This would surely reduce the probability of drivers missing the corner and hence reduce accidents. I imagine that such a sign is not very expensive and might be approved quite quickly.
David Holdsworth, The Green, Settle
Sir - I was appalled to read the pussy-footing about by all concerned with the lifesaving barriers on Broughton Road after the deaths of three young people.
If this had been at a crossroads, traffic lights would have been installed immediately, regardless of cost. May I suggest some form of public collection be started to help with cost. I am willing to start this with £500 to speed this along.
R Howarth, The Stables, Threshfield
Sir - I apologise to Mark Willingham for misrepresenting his political affiliations (Letters, February 18).
He might reflect if he was being fair to Claire Hazelgrove, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC), after the news that has appeared in the Craven Herald since his letter of February 4.
I have yet to see any opinion that Niffany Corner is “not a dangerous spot” as he states in his letter, or that it doesn’t need further safety measures. We do, however, elect councillors to North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) and I see no action by them or others.
As to NYCC’s public consultation over a barrier at Niffany Corner, it seems they are reducing our road safety to the level of “Strictly Come Dancing”. We can all phone in and vote for the road safety measure of our choice. What absolute dereliction of leadership and duty.
We pay them to make decisions and, if necessary, use their reserves for urgent schemes. I can just see a road death in the future elsewhere on our roads and NYCC passing the blame onto the people of Skipton for making a wrong decision.
I am grateful for Lib Dem PCC Helen Flynn’s (Letters, February 18) explanation about her party’s policy on the 11-plus. It is a pity her party was silent about educational selection in the last county council elections when the issue was more relevant.
As for Tory PPC Julian Smith, is he equally appalled by the small number of low-income children going to our grammar schools as he is by a lack of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (Letters, February 18)? Judging by his website, he seems keen to help parents gain access to Harrogate schools, so why not Skipton? Or would that mean admitting admissions in Skipton are unfair and thereby contradicting his colleagues at Northallerton?
The Tories remain silent about selection because they know they have allowed low-income families to be excluded from the town’s grammar schools, made worse by filling the schools up with students from Ilkley.
Graeme Hitchen, Skipton and Ripon Labour Party, High Bank, Bradley
Sir - With reference to the article on the replacement trees in Hammerton Drive, Hellifield (Herald, February 11) and the comment that they were so spindly they would soon be knocked down by high winds. In my opinion, they are more likely to be destroyed by the boys who use Hammerton Drive as their playground and the green as a football field.
They used to use the trees that were there previously as goalposts, but they were larger and stronger.
Last Sunday a group of boys were playing football on the green and again the tiny saplings were being used as goalposts. I don’t think they will survive long under the onslaught of being bashed by footballs.
I also think that to plant them in a regimented row was not attractive or sensible. They would have looked better and survived better if they had been randomly planted.
Perhaps the other trees that have now been removed from Hammerton Drive could be replaced by some sturdier trees planted randomly around the green.
PJ Lister, Hammerton Drive, Hellifield
Sir - I am dismayed to discover that one of the options being considered by Craven District Council is to sell Skipton Town Hall.
This building, which contains The Craven Museum and Art Gallery, is one of the “gems” of the district. I understand that another option being considered is to transfer Skipton Town Hall to a trust consisting of Skipton Civic Society, Skipton Town Council and/or the Tarn Moor Trust.
This latter option would surely be the best safeguard for the town hall.
The Craven Museum and its collections, many of which are of local and national significance, are known to visitors, students and researchers for the comprehensive cover of this area past and present.
The loss of such a valuable asset to the town of Skipton and the surrounding areas should not be considered without much very serious thought.
Allan Butterfield, Green Lane, Glusburn
Sir - I write in strong support of Rosemary Bundy’s admirable letter (Herald, February 11) concerning the future of the Craven Museum and its continuing presence in Skipton Town Hall.
The museum, together with its excellent staff, is one of Craven’s greatest assets and deserves to be promoted as such. It is only two years since plans were being enthusiastically drawn up for a major refurbishment and expansion of the museum’s accommodation within the town hall.
This is a vision which should be vigorously resurrected as part of a move to ensure the preservation and future use of this landmark building and to keep the museum at the historic heart of Skipton.
Anne Read, East Kettlesbeck, Eldroth
Sir - I read with considerable dismay Rosemary Bundy’s letter about the possible closure of the Museum of the Craven Dales, in Skipton Town Hall.
This seems to be all part of a very worrying trend taking place around the country and is very short-sighted.
From 1968 to 1970 I worked in Skipton and had a flat there and on Friday evenings I joined the newly-formed Friends of Craven Museum. I can remember many happy hours sticking Roman pottery back together, along with sorting other items. It was a small, determined group that got the present displays going – is all The Friends’ hard work over the years to go for nothing?
When last I visited Skipton, I went into the museum and greatly enjoyed the experience, not only seeing the displays but meeting people I hadn’t seen for a long time, so it is obviously a good meeting place.
I see that the museum has a busy website with always something going on for everybody, not just the select few. Where will the future generations learn about Skipton’s past if this excellent museum is allowed to disappear into somebody’s cellar, with bits and pieces appearing briefly in an auction house?
That is probably what will happen if this type of ‘vandalism’ is allowed to take place. The comments by visitors on the website say it all: “A visit to Craven Museum & Gallery is definitely one of the things to do in Skipton.”
“One of the best small museums I have been to.”
“A fascinating museum with lots to see and do, I shall definitely visit again.”
“Wonderful, full of memories.”
We owe it to ourselves, past, present and future not to allow this to happen now or at any time.
Malise CW McGuire (formerly Wood), Carron Close, Sinfin, Derby
Sir - Craven Museum must be kept open and available in Skipton to the thousands of visitors and school groups, who can learn so much of our Dales culture and history from its splendid exhibits.
May I add my support to the letter from Rosemary Bundy, secretary of the Friends of Craven Museum (February 11) regarding the option of transferring the town hall to a trust consisting of Skipton Civic Society and/or Skipton Town Council and/or the Tarn Moor Trust, thus safeguarding the museum.
Surely grants could be applied for, to have this iconic building restored and available to the community for many years to come.
Les Bloom, Grove Court, Pudsey
Sir - In response to Chris Haslam’s five questions to prospective parliamentary candidates last week, I am very happy to respond.
1. My main and only home is in the constituency, in Darley, near Pateley Bridge.
2. I currently have only a small paid role as company secretary for my husband’s business in Harrogate, which can be transferred to my husband’s office manager. My other roles are in the voluntary sector. I would be a full-time MP if elected.
3. I currently have no paid directorships, consultancy or advisory roles. My roles as charity trustee, school governor, local and national campaigner etc, are voluntary and I shall step down from them if elected.
4. We live in the Harrogate rural catchment area and my two sons (years nine and seven) attend Harrogate Grammar School, a comprehensive school with 1,800 pupils. My family is registered with Dr Beer at the surgery in Birstwith, in the constituency.
5. Regarding practical experience of the real world, I have had a varied career (I am now 46), working in publishing as a commissioning editor in Harlow, Hemel Hempstead and New York (USA), before setting up a small retail shop and mail order business in St Albans. I sold my business when expecting my second child and have since been very active in a whole range of local voluntary, community roles, as well as being a national campaigner and lobbyist on educational issues.
I am very happy for anyone to contact me to ask me questions directly by email at helen@helenlibdem.org.uk, or on 01423 781186. I am holding public meetings, open to all, in Skipton and Settle in March, details on my website www.helenlibdem.org.uk, where I am happy to take any questions.
Helen Flynn, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Skipton and Ripon, Low Lane, Darley
Sir - I agree with Mrs Troy about recycling (Letters, February 11). I spent the two weeks since our blue bin was last emptied collecting, washing out and, where appropriate, squashing every possible recyclable item.
We had our last weekly green bin emptying and, yes, there was a bit more room left in it than usual after the unwanted margarine tubs, yoghurt pots and plastic food wrappings had been put in, but there wasn’t the half-bin space we need to be able to go two weeks until the next collection. We already have one of the smaller green bins, but waste like the contents of my cat’s tray still has to go in, whether collected weekly or fortnightly, as do food wrappings that can’t be recycled.
So if anyone notices a frustrated householder jumping up and down inside a green bin it will be me trying to make that extra bit of room.
Patricia Mason, Sackville Street, Skipton
Sir - With reference to clean bins (Letters, February 4), we are trying to recycle and have contacted (waste services manager) Paul Florentine about who is responsible for council-owned bins damaging property in windy weather. His reply was to claim on house insurance.
Our new car was damaged by a bin blowing onto it one windy morning. We could not claim on house insurance, but managed to claim half on car insurance.
Who is responsible for bins blowing around on Main Street if they cause damage? Some are on the Main Street all the time as there is nowhere else to keep them.
For our household of two persons, we are now putting into three bins and one bag what we used to put into one bin! Where is the sense in all this?
Joan M Tindale, Pinnacle View, Cowling
Sir - With reference to “Park accused of putting landscape before safety” (Craven Herald, February 18), it is unfortunate that your reporter did not see fit to approach the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) after the North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) meeting to obtain a comment that would have balanced the report.
Had she done so, she would have discovered that the authority was asked by the NYCC to comment on a transportation strategy for the Grassington area, which includes the issue of a crossing in Cracoe.
Clearly it is ridiculous and flippant for anyone to suggest the park authority would put our concerns over the attractiveness of the Dales before the safety of children.
In a letter sent to NYCC on November 7, Andy Ryland, the YDNPA’s transport and visitor management officer, said: “We believe that the provision of a pelican or puffin crossing is both unnecessary and inappropriate in landscape terms at this location.
“As an alternative we would suggest the provision of a school crossing patrol for the primary school children. To improve the safety of the secondary school children we suggest that the bus stop is moved 100m north closer to the post box. This will considerably improve the sight lines for children walking to/from the school bus stop and make the crossing much safer.”
Unfortunately, the reference to the school crossing patrol was not, for some reason, included in the supporting notes to the NYCC area committee but it would have been explained to the reporter had she contacted us.
Jon Avison, Head of Park Management, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington
* Editor’s note: The story was purely a report of what was said at the county council’s Craven Area Committee. As Mr Avison says, the national park’s full position was not put forward but we are happy to publish it here.
Sir - With winter upon us, it is past time the problems with the automatic doors on our new bus station were rectified.
The doors open and close every time a person passes by, whether they intend to use them or not, causing undue wear on the operating mechanism.
Possible solutions would be to re-align the sensors so the doors only opened when a person is directly in front of them or to fit push-buttons on the door jambs. At present, with no door at the toilet end of the passenger waiting area, it’s like waiting in a wind tunnel.
J Smith, Raines Lea, Grassington
Sir – In response to SG Ives (Letters, February 18), I have been in Airedale Hospital twice in six months and on both occasions I had both porridge and sago pudding, absolutely cold, more than once.
He/she is the one who must have been in a different hospital to Mrs Myers and myself.
Mrs Vera Newhouse, Tosside, Skipton
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